Penn State’s Department of Landscape Architecture seeks an innovative, thoughtful colleague interested in enhancing our department’s curricula and research in the making of landscape architecture, an inquiry that includes our core courses in design implementation — grading, stormwater, planting design, and material assemblies. We are particularly interested in candidates with a demonstrated strength in design and teaching in entry-level to advanced design studios and with an ability to connect their teaching to contemporary professional practice.
We are seeking applicants who will embrace our mission of “inspired work grounded in environmental and social good,” contribute outstanding teaching, and advance the discipline of landscape architecture through research and/or creative practice. Additionally, the successful applicant will be able to work effectively with faculty, staff and students from diverse backgrounds, and contribute to the department’s broad environmental and social interests. We imagine a colleague who would take advantage of the Stuckeman School’s three research centers and support facilities – which include the Immersive Environments Lab (IEL), DigiFab lab, and wood shop – and who would expand on our existing faculty research expertise in green stormwater infrastructure, coastal resilience, and ecological systems design.
The successful candidate will join our community as a tenure line Assistant Professor, starting in August 2026. The typical teaching load is two courses per semester, including design studios and core or elective courses in landscape technologies. The position additionally will entail service responsibilities within the department as well as the expectation of research or creative activity.
The College of Arts & Architecture is committed to fostering a culture that is fair, inclusive, and respectful of all individuals. We strive to create an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and all members of our community have equitable opportunities to succeed. Through our curricula, values, standards, policies, and practices, we promote inclusive excellence and uphold the principles of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination. Candidates are welcome to share experiences that demonstrate their commitment to these values and goals, and their ability to contribute to an inclusive academic community.
About the Department
Penn State Landscape Architecture resides in the Stuckeman School, which also houses the Departments of Architecture and Graphic Design. Generous endowments support several Chairs and Professorships for full professors, a Career Development Professor in Design for early-career faculty, and grant opportunities to provide early- or mid-career faculty professional development. The endowments also provide funding for faculty travel, visiting critics, lectures and exhibitions, research assistants, and course enhancement funds. The Stuckeman School includes three research centers: the Hamer Center for Community Design, the Stuckeman Center for Design Computing, and E+D: Ecology + Design. All three offer a robust research community, facilitation of community and industry connections, grants assistance, and funding for student research support, course support, and research travel.
The Department offers professionally accredited BLA and MLA degrees, a post-professional MS in Landscape Architecture, a landscape architecture research track under the PhD in Architecture, and a Minor in Landscape Architecture that attracts students from many disciplines throughout the college and university.
Penn State is an internationally highly ranked Tier 1 research institution and land grant university located in State College, in central Pennsylvania’s ridge & valley system, surrounded by beautiful farmland and wooded mountains, and within driving distance of several major east coast cities including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington, D.C.
For more information on our department and academic context, explore the following websites: Landscape Architecture Department, Stuckeman School and the College of Arts and Architecture
Qualifications
Required
1. A terminal degree in Landscape Architecture, or in a related discipline with at least one degree in landscape architecture;
2. A record of scholarly and/or professional work that aligns with our mission;
3. Evidence of success in teaching;
4. Evidence of equitable considerations, awareness, and practice regarding curricula development, and inclusive practices in educating students of all backgrounds, along with evidence of working collectively to cultivate a culture that supports success and enables all members of our college community to thrive.
Preferred
1. Professional licensure in landscape architecture and/or professional experience.
To Apply
To be assured of full consideration, all materials should be submitted by November 15, 2025. Submit digital applications via Penn State’s online application system:
psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Academic/job/Penn-State-University-Park/Assistant-Professor-of-Landscape-Architecture_REQ_0000071867-2
Include in a single PDF of 10MB or less:
(1) a cover letter providing a statement of teaching interests and philosophy and a brief description of creative practice and/or research achievements
(2) a current C.V. or resume;
(3) representative samples of research and/or creative works;
(4) contact information of three references
Applicants may choose to describe in their cover letter how their teaching, research, and service experiences have supported inclusive practices, fostered a respectful and equitable environment, or advanced access and opportunity for all individuals, consistent with principles of equal treatment and nondiscrimination.
Inquiries should be addressed to:
Peter Stempel, Chair Faculty Search Committee
pjs6035@psu.edu |
